General Manager for new £16M care village


Rebecca Woodcock, 38, has been appointed general manager of Belong Birkdale; a £16m state-of-the-art care village, which is set to provide pioneering dementia care services and a range of public facilities, when it opens on Oxford Road in Birkdale, Southport, this autumn.

Hailing from Bolton, Rebecca has worked in the care sector from the age of 16, developing her skills across numerous roles within Belong. Most recently, she held the position of support manager at the not-for-profit care provider’s village in Wigan, where she has worked for the last ten years. During her time at the village, which holds the care Quality Commission’s ‘outstanding’ rating, she was recognised for her leadership qualities and gained the care sector’s Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care qualification.

Commenting on the appointment, Rebecca said: “For a career carer, it is tremendous to be given the opportunity to manage the first coastal village in the Belong portfolio. I am passionate about the provision of quality care, a strong advocate of the village model of care developed by Belong in the UK and a firm believer in the benefits it can give to those living with dementia.

“I look forward to our opening and to the prospect of creating a vibrant community in Birkdale that will become a real asset to the local area, not least because it will create 140 new jobs in the local economy, whilst delivering class-leading care and first-rate facilities.”

Once completed, the Birkdale village will provide high-specification accommodation for over 100 people. It will provide 24-hour nursing care in six family size households for 72 people and also comprise of 30, one and two bedroom, independent living apartments; the first phase of which have already been released for rent or purchase. In addition, there will be a range of facilities open to the public, including a bistro, hair salon, exercise studio and function rooms; all designed to promote maximum engagement with the local community.

Belong’s deputy chief executive, Tracy Paine, added: “Rebecca has been an invaluable member of the Belong team from the beginning, and her appointment as general manager of our latest village is testament to her personal development and her leadership qualities.

“We are sure her vast experience, knowledge and enthusiasm will be put to good use at Belong Birkdale.”

Details of the new accommodation can be obtained by contacting 01704 614101 or email: enquiries@belong.org.uk